Material Planner

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Summary of Responsibilities:

The Material Planner is responsible for coordinating and managing the supply of materials necessary for production. This role requires close collaboration with suppliers, transport carriers, production teams, and inventory management to ensure timely, cost-effective procurement and optimal inventory levels. The Material Planner will focus on preventing material shortages or excesses across series production, pre-series, and engineering change projects.

LOGISTICS MISSION STATEMENT

Magna Seating South Carolina systems will promote fundamental materials management systems that provide outstanding delivery performance, exceptional customer service satisfaction, continuous improvement and a safe and quality work environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Material Requirements Planning (MRP): Utilize MRP systems to determine material needs based on production schedules, forecasts, parameter controls, and engineering changes.
• Inventory Management: Monitor and maintain optimal inventory levels, conducting regular audits and cycle counts to prevent shortages and excess stock.
• Supplier Coordination: Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, place purchase orders/releases, dedicated and/or expedite deliveries, and resolve issues related to quality or delivery schedules. Escalate supplier expectations as needed.
• Transportation & Customs Coordination: Collaborate with logistics providers to ensure timely inbound shipments, manage suppliers’ customs documentation, and ensure compliance with import/export regulations. Following up with suppliers for annual USMCAs, along with each new number creation.
• Production Support: Work closely with production teams to understand material needs and adjust plans proactively to accommodate schedule changes.
• Data Analysis: Analyze material usage, lead times, and inventory trends to identify opportunities for process improvements and cost savings.
• Cost Optimization: Negotiate with suppliers to optimize material costs and improve inventory turnover.
• Documentation & Compliance: Maintain accurate records of purchase orders, deliveries, ASN accuracy, and inventory levels. Ensure all documentation complies with company policies and industry standards.
• Warehouse & Material Flow: Coordinate with warehouse teams to ensure inbound, storage, and lineside material flow supports production needs efficiently.
• Continuous Improvement: Participate in initiatives to enhance planning processes, systems, and overall supply chain efficiency.
• Project Support & Launches: Assist with planning and coordination for new product launches, engineering changes, and other special projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of production inventory control techniques and principles.
• Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Business Administration, International Business, or related field, or 4+ years of professional experience in Material Planning, including MRP.
• Experience with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or similar) for planning and inventory management.
• Familiarity with transportation logistics, customs procedures, and international shipping regulations.
• Results-oriented with a strong bias for action; proactive in following up and resolving issues.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven project management and time management abilities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Project).

Preferred Skills:

• Bilingual proficiency (e.g., English and Spanish, French, or other languages).
• Experience in planning within ERP systems, including demand forecasting, order management, and inventory control.
• Knowledge of warehouse operations, inbound/outbound logistics, and material flow design.
• Familiarity with lean inventory practices and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience with customs clearance and import/export compliance.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret data for decision-making.

The above statement reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job identified and shall not be considered as a detailed description of the work required inherent in the job.  Other duties may be assigned from time to time to support business needs.

At Magna, we believe that a diverse workforce is critical to our success. That’s why we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We hire on the basis of experience and qualifications, and in consideration of job requirements, regardless of, in particular, color, ancestry, religion, gender, origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability or gender identity. Magna takes the privacy of your personal information seriously. We discourage you from sending applications via email or traditional mail to comply with GDPR requirements and your local Data Privacy Law.

As part of our commitment to a fair, consistent, and efficient recruitment process, we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the initial screening of applications submitted through our Workday system. These tools help identify qualifications and experience that align with the role requirements. Please note that AI is used solely to support our recruiters. Final decisions are always made by the hiring manager and the hiring team. Importantly, no applicant data is shared externally through these AI tools. All information remains securely within our systems and is handled in accordance with our privacy and data protection policies.

If you have any questions or concerns about this process, feel free to contact our Talent Attraction team.